Camping has many great benefits such as quiet solitude, relaxation, and fun.  One major drawback though to most camping excursions is the lack of a hot shower.  Nothing helps us feel more human than a hot shower to rinse the dirt and grime off from the day.  But how are you supposed to get a hot shower while camping? By using a camping water heater shower.

Portable and instant water heaters have come along way over the years.  Luckily it’s never been easier to use a camping water heater shower. Below is our list of favorite and easy to use camping water heater showers.  As well as a helpful user guide on the camping water heater shower.

Top Picks for Camping Water Heater Shower

Camp Chef HWD5 Triton Water Heater

One of the most popular camping water heater showers on the market is the Champ Chef HWD5 Triton.  The water heater first hit the market in 2008 and has a long and great track record with many positive reviews. 

The Camp Chef camping water heater shower has a very simple design and is easy to use.  In fact, the water heater only has two control knobs on the front of the unit controlling the heat and water pressure.  There are only three connections that need to be made to have up to 1.5 gallons of hot water a minute which include a propane connection, a water inlet hose connection, and a water outlet hose connection.  There is no need to worry about lighting a pilot light for hot water. This unit has a built-in igniter that automatically lights the pilot when water starts flowing using two D batteries.

This portable propane hot water heater also has many great features including a 72-inch shower hose, brackets for easy mounting, and a four-setting shower head.

The Camp Chef HWD5 Triton camping water heater does not have a built-in pump to send the water through the camping water heater.  As with many portable water heaters, this unit requires a pressurized water source to function such as your home or campsite water connection.  Because this portable water heater requires a pressurized water source. It will not work for remote camping or anywhere that does not have access to a  pressurized water source.

Overall this is a powerful easy to use water heater that makes a great portable hot water shower for camping, around the pool, or washing off from the beach.

Pros and Cons

 

Zodi Outback Gear Hot Tap Travel Shower

If camping in a remote area with no reliable or pressurized water source than the Zodi Outback Gear Hot Tap Travel Shower is for you.

As opposed to other camping water heaters on this list the Zodi Travel Shower comes with its own pump that runs off of D batteries. Allowing this water heater to pressurize and send the water through the heating element for your hot shower.  This means you can literally take a shower anywhere with this self-contained portable camping water heater.

Everything you need packs into a handy hard plastic storage case that doubles as a water tank while at the campsite.  To take a hot shower while camping simply unpack the heating element, hoses and pump from the storage case. Connect the heating element to a 16 oz propane cylinder for fuel (can also attach to larger propane tanks with an adapter).  Submerge the pump into a water source such as the storage case or perhaps an igloo cooler filled with water. Ignite the heater and turn the pump on for instant hot water.

Keep the showers short and to the point while using this camping water heater shower.  The manufacturer states the unit will heat 60+ gallons of water between battery and propane refills.

Zodi is located in Midvale, Utah and is known for their high-quality well-built water heaters.  In fact, their products are so trusted that the military, firefighters, and EMS all use variations of their products.  When dependability and reliability are of the utmost importance.

If remote camping or in the backcountry and you still want a hot shower the Zodi Outback Gear Hot Tap Travel Shower is a great portable hot water shower for camping.

Pros and Cons

 

Eccotemp L10 Portable Outdoor Tankless Water Heater

This portable propane water heater by Eccotemp with its 10-liter capacity and 74,500 BTU rating is one of the largest and most powerful camping water heaters on the market. If your going to be camping for a long duration or setting up a semi-permanent shower this is a great choice.

The unit runs off a standard propane gas grill tank and two D batteries for ignition.  Making this portable tankless water heater great for camping and outdoor applications.

As with the Camp Chef camping water heater shower above this product requires a pressurized water source to function and does not include a water pump to pressurize and move the water.  If remote camping without a source of pressurized water this portable camping heater will not work.

The Eccotemp camping water heater shower offers convenient and easy to use features including a 20-minute safety shut off timer, battery-powered ignition, and automatic pressure activation.  

The Eccotemp L10 Portable Outdoor Tankless Water Heater is a great choice if you are looking for a powerful and easy to use portable hot water shower for camping.

Pros and Cons

 

 

How Does a Portable Water Heater Work?

A portable water heater or camping portable water heater works by instantly heating the water sent through its heating element.  Water is sent through the portable water heater either by an external pump or a pressurized water source.

By instantly heating the water it eliminates the need for a bulky water holding tank more commonly found in household applications.  By removing the water tank the water heater becomes substantially more portable and lightweight.

A portable water heater can use various portable fuel sources to heat the water.  

Portable Water Heater Fuel Source

Typically a portable water heater will use propane as its fuel source but electricity is also used.

Using propane as a fuel source adds to the portability of the camping water heater.  In fact with a battery-powered pump and a water source you could, in essence, have hot water or a hot shower anywhere you wish.

 

Do You Need Water Pressure?

There are two main designs when it comes to camping water heater showers.  One design requires a pressurized water source and the other does not.

Many portable water heaters require a pressurized water source such as a household or campsite hose connection.  In fact, these models will not work without a pressurized water source.

On the other hand for the ultimate in camping water heater shower portability.  There are designs that do not require a pressurized water source.  Instead, relying on an external pump to send the water through the portable water heater and create the needed pressure to function.

Typically portable water heaters that need a pressurized water source will be larger and state the water PSI required to operate.  While portable hot water heaters that do not need a pressurized water source will be smaller and have an external pump.

Which Camping Water Heater Shower is Best?

Choosing the best design will depend on your particular needs and application.  If you have access to a pressurized water source than opt for the portable water heater that uses a pressurized water source.  By doing this you will have a more powerful shower, typically higher water temperatures, and fewer failure points by eliminating the need for external pumps and hoses.

If however, you will be camping in an area that does not have access to a pressurized water source.  Then the only choice that makes sense is the design that uses an external pump to provide the water pressure needed to operate the camping water heater shower.

Hot Water Duration with a Portable Water Heater

In essence, with enough propane, electricity, and water a portable water heater can supply an endless supply of hot water.  However, in a camping or outdoor scenario where you do not have an endless supply of propane or electricity you can expect to get on average between 50 and 100 gallons of hot water with a standard size propane tank and a good size battery source.

To help you gauge how much water this is for use as a shower.  The average household shower uses 2.1 gallons of water per minute.  So a ten-minute shower at home would use approximately 21 gallons of water.

While pressures can be adjusted and vary on portable water heaters.  This should indicate to you that in order to get more than a few showers out of your camping water heater shower, showers need to be kept to a few minutes each.

Keeping camping showers around one or two minutes should allow you to get 25 or more showers from your camping water heater shower with a standard propane tank and a good source for power.

Camping Water Heater Shower Safety

• Never Leave a Propane Tank in an Enclosed Vehicle
• Thoroughly Check All Hoses and Connectors Supplying Propane for Leaks or Damage
• Make Sure any Battery or Power Source is Stored Safely Away From Water
• Choose a Non-Slip Location for Your Portable Shower
• Never Leave Children Unattended While Using a Portable Water Heater
• Be Mindful of Scolding Temperatures when Using a Camping Water Heater Shower